Melissa Vincent

Pipeline gala celebrates a startup crowd moving toward the world’s problems (not hiding from them)

When the world feels fractured and hopeless — heavy with economic uncertainty and political division — it needs people who still believe that change is possible, Melissa Vincent told a black-tie crowd of entrepreneurs gathered Friday evening in the Grand Hall at Union Station.

Woman smiling at a conference, representing Kauffman-funded entrepreneurial projects.

Kauffman funds 46 more project, research grants; many boosting early entrepreneurship 

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation recently announced its latest tranche grantees, investing in community-centered solutions that dovetail with its strategic focus on college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship.

Pipeline reveals new founder-first cohort: Meet the entrepreneurs fueling a Midwest innovation surge 

With more than a dozen new members joining its fellowship, the Pipeline Entrepreneurs network is growing not only its ranks, Melissa Vincent said; the elite founder-focused program is working to ensure the best of Midwest innovation stays in the region. “We have assembled a powerful group of founders, ranging from deep-tech and life sciences in…

Pipeline plants seeds for ‘best of the best’ emerging founders: Meet its growing Pathfinder cohort

Entrepreneurs tapped for Pipeline’s latest rotation of Pathfinder programming reflect an expanded expression of the elite network’s founding principle: use a purpose-built community to close long-standing gaps for leaders who have historically lacked capital, resources, and networks. A sister program to Pipeline’s Fellowship, Pathfinder targets support to early-stage founders from underserved Midwest communities who often…

‘This is the dream’: Starty Party turns up the volume on Kansas City tech, collaboration (Photos)

It isn’t a party without the people, said organizers of the Starty Party, gathering a crowd of startup veterans, early stage founders, investors and community leaders Wednesday for a one-night celebration of innovation — set against the backdrop of homegrown music and vibes. “This is amazing,” said Melissa Vincent, CEO of Pipeline Entrepreneurs, from the Starty…